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Thoughts and Issues

Kauri Disease suspected in Pukekura Park

Late in October 2009 signs of the dreaded kauri dieback disease were seen in Pukekura Park. Whilst the disease has not yet been confirmed to be Phytophthera Taxon Agathis (PTA) the Park staff are on alert.

 

Follow the news with updates and links to audio and newspaper reports on the Kete.Pukekura.

 

 

Managing the trees of Pukekura Park and Brooklands

Karl Rossiter, President

The Friends of Pukekura Park has commenced a dialogue within the membership about the preferred tree policy for Pukekura Park and Brooklands. This will remain a focal issue for 2008.

 

At a meeting of the Friends in November 2007 it was agreed that:

• The priority is to identify the Notable trees within Pukekura Park and Brooklands and to indicate them by GIS reference on official New Plymouth District Council maps. Notable trees are those of botanical, historical, ecological, or rarity significance. There are many Notable trees that need to be added to existing lists. This work is to be carried out during 2008 by the Friends in association with Park managers.
• The updated list of Notable trees is to be drawn to the attention of Park managers to ensure appropriate long term management of the specified trees.
• Consideration needs to be given to the selection of appropriate tree species for canopy renewal, and whether natural regeneration processes should be given a “helping hand”.
• A process of consultation needs to be instigated to ensure that planning, engineering and landscaping requirements are consistent with tree management and preservation.
• New Plymouth District Council planning and budget allocations need to provide for the least destructive methods of tree removal, and for a pest plant control regime to ensure successful regeneration of tree species.

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